Unlike in other films, the court trials shown in director Ratheesh Balakrishna's 'Nna Thaan Case Kodu' had a flavour of comedy.
Prithviraj as a laywer in 'Jana Gana Mana'. (PrithviOfficial/ Twitter)
Courtroom dramas have gained popularity in Malayalam in recent times.
Well, Malayali movie buffs are not new to the genre. The online onscreen chemistry between Mammootty and Mohanlal in the court scenes of Narasimham (2000) left audiences in awe; the movie ran for 200 days in theatres and was a smashing hit.
It was re-released in Kerala on several occasions and has a cult following.
However, unlike the commercial potboilers that usually hit the screens, a handful of courtroom dramas released recently became box office hits as they highlighted the issues of the common man. This is the reason why they struck a chord with the audience and left a mark, too.
South First picks for you five riveting courtroom movies in Malayalam that made headlines, all thanks to the content.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Jana Gana Mana is a socially-relevant drama that discusses several issues.
It speaks volumes about the right-wing politics in the country and also the problems faced by students, especially in universities across India, and women.
Upon its release, Jana Gana Mana became a commercial success.
Prithviraj and Suraj Venjaramoodu teamed up here again after their successful venture Driving Licence (2019).
It had an ensemble cast, including Mamta Mohandas, Shammi Thilakan, and Vincy Aloshious.
The first half of the movie showcases Sajjan Kumar’s (Suraj Venjaramoodu) life as a cop.
Advocate Aravind Swaminathan’s (Prithviraj) entry in the second half takes the movie to a new level. Prithviraj’s mannerisms as a physically challenged person and his dialogue delivery became plus points for the film.
Jana Gana Mana may be a loud movie, but the makers wanted it that way.
Nna Thaan Case Kodu directed by Ratheesh Balakrishna Poduval was a super hit.
Kunchacko Boban donned the role of Kozhummal Rajeev, a thief who had to deal with a legal case filed against the system.
The movie had an interesting storyline — how potholes in the roads affect the life of a common man.
Rajeevan gets arrested in a theft case. But as the story progresses, he gathers evidence against the police and other officials.
As the court proceedings begin, Rajeevan drags the PWD minister and accuses him of the pothole that caused all the problems.
A satire on the government and its departments, Nna Thaan Case Kodu was well-received by the audience. The courtroom trials had a flavour of comedy which we don’t get to see in other films.
PP Kunhikrishnan as the magistrate received the honour for Best Actor in a Character Role in the 53rd Kerala State Awards.
The film also received an award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value. Kunchako Boban received a special jury award.
‘Mukundan Unni Associates’ is a dark comedy. (Supplied)
Mukundan Unni Associates is one of the finest dark comedies in Malayalam.
Helmed by debutant Abhinav Sundar Nayak, the film is about a young, cunning lawyer named Mukundan Unni who adopts evil ways to win his cases and become victorious in life.
The story revolves around the cases he deals with.
Director Abhinav Sundar was keen to make a dark comedy, like Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap.
Mukundan Unni Associates starred Vineeth Sreenivasan in the lead role. The representation of grey characters in the movie was a good move by the director in an industry that is slowly trying to break the stereotypes.
Arsha Baiju got a refreshing role who, unlike the female leads of other films, doesn’t advise her husband to be good.
The flick got an out-of-the-box treatment and was received well by the Malayalam audience.
Vaashi had a refreshing story that dealt with the lives of Ebin Mathew (Tovino Thomas) and Madhavi Mohan (Keerthy Suresh), both junior lawyers.
They are also lovers who face obstacles while trying to build their careers.
The film is about how the duo, who are equally competent and egoistic, handles a case.
Vaashi doesn’t have any elements of preaching. Its tone is progressive.
Keethy Suresh and Tovino Thomas display good on-screen chemistry. Ebin and Madhavi appear as the clients.
Vaashi speaks about the rights and mistakes of both the convict and the acquitted.
It ends with the lead characters realising that their love for each other is beyond their egos.
Saudi Vellakka is a feel-good movie and makes audiences emotional.
Helmed by director Tharun Moorthy, it has a set of new actors. Debutant Devi Varma, who played the role of Ayisha, received the Best Actress in a Character Role award at the 53rd Kerala State Film Awards.
Saudi Vellakka has a peculiar story where an old woman beats up a small boy when he accidentally hits her while playing cricket. The boy’s parents file a case against the woman after being advised by a retired court official who has problems with the elderly woman.
The case is filed when the boy is a child and is still pending with the court when he grows into a teenager (Lukman Avaran ).
The difficulties faced by the old woman in handling the case in court and her hardships to eke out a living make the viewers emotional.
Saudi Vellakka is a thought-provoking film that points out why the common man in India hesitates to knock on the courts’ doors; for, the cases drag on for years while they await a closer and justice to be delivered.
It also highlights a serious point — “Is justice delivered in our legal system?”
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